RF Modulators: Make your own Private Analog TV Channels the Easy Way

RF Modulators: Make your own Private Analog TV Channels the Easy Way. Modulators change a video signal to be usable on an RF channel. Normally modulators work on channels 3 or 4, but UHF modulators are also available to give more flexibility and avoid co-channel interference, as I run into in this video. It’s an easy way to play your own content on a closed-circuit TV channel available only to your televisions.
0:00 What is an RF Modulator?
0:17 Quick History Lesson
0:44 Connecting an RF Modulator
2:15 VCR’s and Digital Converter Boxes have RF Modulators too!
2:37 RF Modulator demonstration on an old black and white TV
3:28 Make your own personal media player channel
4:03 Easy way to combine your private TV channel to your home coaxial cable system
5:29 a look at setting up a private cable channel
6:38 a word about co-channel interference
7:25 Not all modulators work on channel 3 or 4 - try a UHF modulator
8:29 Check thrift stores to find a good deal
Some RF modulators for sale: (please note the following links are affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
amzn.to/3zDNptx
amzn.to/40PcKga
See more cool videos about RF Modulators to make your own personal TV Channels to play your own content:
Mini analog TV Channel Modulator works great to make your own home TV channel
• Mini analog TV Channel...
Making your own Home Cable TV System | analog channels using a UHF Modulator
• Making your own Home C...
Make your own personal analog TV channels at home | UHF TV Channel Modulator | Video sender
• Make your own personal...
Options for combining 2 TV Antennas into one Coaxial Cable
• Options for combining ...
HDMI to Coax on the Cheap | HDMI to Analog Coaxial Cable
• HDMI to Coax on the Ch...
Connecting a Satellite receiver to a second TV with an RF modulator and IR remote extender
• Connecting a Satellite...
Use your VCR to send a video signal to a second TV
• Use your VCR to send a...
Options to Connect your FTA Satellite Receiver to an Analog CRT Television
• Options to Connect you...
Amiko Satellite Receiver Tutorials
• Amiko Satellite Receiv...
Satellite Switches- DiSEqC, Splitters, 22 KHz, etc.
• Satellite Switches- Di...
Satellite LNB's Playlist
• Satellite LNB's Playlist
C-Band Satellite Playlist
• Playlist
Amiko Mini 4K UHD S2X Free Satellite Receiver | Review and Overview | Get FTA Satellite Channels
• Amiko Mini 4K UHD S2X ...
How to Add a Satellite and Transponder to the Amiko Mini HD265 FTA Satellite Receiver
• How to Add a Satellite...
Satellite LNB Frequency Setup is a VERY Important step- Amiko Mini Receiver
• Satellite LNB Frequenc...
Auto Polarity Setting - Amiko Mini Satellite Receiver
• Auto Polarity Setting ...
• No Signal on your Sate...
No Signal on your FTA Receiver? Turn Your LNB Power ON
How to PVR Record | Amiko Mini HD265 | FTA Free Satellite Receiver
• How to PVR Record | Am...
Adding and Organizing Favorite Channel Lists in your Amiko FTA Receiver | Free Satellite TV
• Adding and Organizing ...
Amiko Mini Free Satellite TV Receiver - Auto Power Down Setting
• Amiko Mini Free Satell...
How to Add a Satellite and Transponder to the Amiko Mini HD265 FTA Satellite Receiver
• How to Add a Satellite...
How to Delete Channels on the Amiko Mini Free Satellite TV Receiver
• How to Delete Channels...
How to Rename a Channel on your Amiko FTA Satellite Receiver
• How to Rename a Channe...
Adding a Transponder to a Satellite- Amiko Mini HD265 Receiver for free satellite TV
• Adding a Transponder t...
Missing channels after a Blindscan?Manually add a transponder to a satellite receiver
• Video
Over-the-Air TV and TV Antennas Playlist:
• OTA TV and TV Antennas
TV Antenna Reviews Playlist:
• TV Antenna Reviews
TV Channel Scan Tutorials Playlist:
• TV Antenna Channel Sca...
Free Satellite TV: a Great Choice
• Why Satellite TV is a ...
Learn about how to get free satellite TV:
• Getting Free Satellite TV
Setting up a Basic KU Band Satellite System for Free Satellite TV
• Setting up a Basic KU ...
My C-Band Satellite Dishes:
• The C Band Satellite D...

[@thesipesquestthroughlife1738]

Best video ever. I got everything I needed in less than 30 seconds. Liked the video on one account, switched accounts then liked it again. Good work. Underrated.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

Thank you so much for watching! Glad it helps!

[@hedraun9289]

Just picked one up at the thrift store for 3.50 and I was not sure what it did. Seems more handy than I thought. I will for sure hold onto it and maybe try these methods out. Thanks for the great video.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

What a great find for $3.50! Thanks for watching!

[@RGC198]

Excellent video. I remember these Radio Shack RF modulators and I only wish that I had purchased one when they were available here in Australia. Of course, I can do that also with a VCR. So, all is not completely lost.

[@BigSykes]

This video brought back to me a lot of nostalgic feelings of the good old 90s

[@ghosty3034]

watching modern videos through an old manky CRT has got to be the most meta shit ever ong

[@crazywarp36]

crt's are much higher quality and cooler than new tvs

[@crazywarp36]

@wilko9396 I agree. Modern speakers on tv's are junk. Even my 2006 Magnavox HD Flatscreen has 100x better speakers than a new one.

[@xdsone]

Used to be able to descramble "premium channels" using these back in the day lol

[@LouiseLeong]

great video!!

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

Thanks for watching!

[@AnthonyChopra]

epic same b/w mini tv i have i have ordered a cheap box modulator and also found i can use some british> digitalbox RF Out to receive the digi box picture with that. definitely i cant wait to watch some 1944 and 1960s american dramas on my mini tv from my PC

[@mikemakin6672]

I have the radio shack RF modulator like yours and a small portable tv, what else do I need to pickup over the air content? I unfortunately don’t have any antenna inputs like yours.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

You would need a TV antenna (indoor or outdoor- outdoor is better) and a TV with an ATSC tuner (digital) or a digital converter box to connect to an older television. Here is an example of a digital converter box currently available: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inyXeoh6np1mqJIsi=KhXZPsfozxO5SCzn

[@mikemakin6672]

Thank you.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@mikemakin6672 You’re welcome.

[@bobskie321]

The video carrier of your RF modulator is AM instead of 8VSB that's why it interferes with the lower adjacent channel which means if your RF modulator is channel 3 it interferes with channel 2 as seen at 6:50 where channel 2 is missing. There are 8VSB RF modulators like those used in cable TV which do not interfere with the adjucent channel.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

You mean ATSC modulators? No doubt they work well with today’s digital TV signals, but they are pricey.

[@bobskie321]

@oasterHobby Even on analog NTSC, there are 8VSB modulators that do not interfere with the adjacent channel and they are used by Cable TV operators.

[@CHS731]

I wonder if you can use an antenna that is connected into an rf port and send the signal to a new tv.

[@CHS731]

I’m trying to build an N64 that connects to the tv through antenna by using the mult port RF adapter and a booster for the antenna so I can make a wireless N64. Problem is I like crts but the loud ringing is just horrible.

[@MalnourishChildrenwillbemine]

I use this for my ps2 😂😂

[@Nicholas_Chris]

At 2:54 I have 4 of this F type to jack adapter. I have an outdoor FM antenna and with this adaptor I connect my smartphone to the antenna, all channels come in excellent. You also need an two jack female input to one jack male ouput Y adapter, One input is from the antenna and the other is for the headphones, and the male jack connects to your smartphone.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

Nice, they seem like really handy accessories to have.

[@Nicholas_Chris]

@@NorthcoasterHobby It's worth for every phone that has FM radio feature. For smartphone there are apps but what happens if the internet connection is unreliable but your favorite radio station is also broadcasting on FM? The F type to jack connecter and the Y adapter and an outdoor antenna are excellent. The headphones don't make a good antenna only for strong FM stations or if your using your phone outside.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@Nicholas_Chris some phones lock that FM feature out, probably so people have to buy music.

[@pauljames5914]

The converter box has its own rd output on it. No need for the extra modulator.

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

Unless your TV tuned down to 55 Mhz

[@tinathrower284]

I've become numb skulled due to progress. I have everything here and then some but let myself forget how to hook everything up. I love my smart tvs but due to becoming disabled earlier than anticipated, and now on an extremely low fixed income compared to my work income, I had to cut cable tv out. I'm so glad I suffer from the love of nostalgia and saved everything in impeccable condition. Who knew we'd be having such difficult times as we're seeing today? The Walking Dead knew!

[@rtvlas8893]

Wowww you explain very well but if I want my channel goes everywhere what can I use for that

[@pilotpie0293]

You would need multiple

[@Limousine08]

Hiya..can you tell me what volts and amps the adapter is for you little memorex? mine isn't displaying full screen, I'm think maybe my adapter is too weak

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

Hi, sorry for the late reply. The adapter is 12V DC 1.0 Amps.

[@Limousine08]

@@NorthcoasterHobby ah thanks that's exactly what I thought

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@Limousine08 You’re welcome.👍

[@chickenfoundation9323]

Wish there was a way to connect it to my 80s portable tv that has no inputs only an antenna

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

Clip the coaxial cable to the antenna from your source, as in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHjYeWRupcaApcksi=IQy23ZrjaDVhI4p3

[@jessesinclair161]

Hey, quick question. What material are your radio shack modulators made of? I've been doing some research into finding a decently performant RF modulator, and I've been recommended to pick up an older radio shack one but I was told the metal ones work better than the plastic ones they produced later on. I found a couple of the ones you have on ebay but I'm not sure if those are the plastic ones or the metal ones that are being spoken of. Thanks in advance!

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

The RF modulator in the video is in a metal case.

[@jessesinclair161]

Perfect, thank you so much! @@NorthcoasterHobby

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@jessesinclair161 You’re welcome.

[@MaximusOverhead]

I know this is a 10 month old video but I’m hoping you can answer my question, I have a 80s Korean made portable TV. With only a headphone jack port on top, will that work with the coax cable 3.5mm head and RF modulator?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

If the headphone jack is the antenna input, then yes. Portable Black and White Analog TV - a cool thrift store find kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnnKo4SLrZqZbNU

[@MaximusOverhead]

@@NorthcoasterHobby thank you! after seeing yours I understand what kind of adapter I’d need. My external antenna point is the old style with the two screws, similar to old speakers for receivers and turn tables. Google is an amazing thing one search and I found the adapter from the two little metal forks to a coax cable head.

[@wielkanocnyropuchzemsty9322]

Hi! I need a device that converts the signal from RF to CVBS (RCA). Do you know such a device?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

I’ve never seen a device like that.

[@ivanlitovskii]

What do you recommend for streaming hdtv via coaxial cable to multiple tv's in a hotel?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

If you are using an antenna as your source, then a series of distribution amplifiers could distribute the channels to multiple televisions.

[@ivanlitovskii]

@@NorthcoasterHobby I will use some hdmi player, android or raspberry pi as a player. If there is an existing coaxial cable with working tv and nice signal, would i need an extra signal booster to stream my program through the same cable?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@ivanlitovskii Possibly. It depends on what channel you modulate it to- if there are any strong signals on adjacent frequencies then a booster may be needed.

[@leesallow7701]

can these modulators use for fm tuners if i set them on fm band frequency like 90Mhz, 92Mhz..?Im planning combine them together with summator and amplify to one coax cable, like cable TV, but for radio stations from web-radio

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@leesallow7701 These only modulate to RF channels 3 or 4. Sounds like you’d need something more specialized.

[@Arcturian1111]

Would this work if my rf adapter is broken off on my TV?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

No, it would need to be fixed.

[@robertshade8631]

@2:00 you mention receiver connected to rf modulator but unsure if you referring to like converter box receiver?Will hdmi signal be enabled?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

Yes, I was referring to a converter box receiver or satellite receiver. There is no HDMI signal as the modulator is analog.

[@robertshade8631]

@@NorthcoasterHobby ok so that is why the rf modulator alone will not provide tv video ok.

[@robertshade8631]

@@NorthcoasterHobby how can you tell why a sdtv converter box mostly will not work?I got a couple from thrift stores.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@robertshade8631 The modulator converts a video signal (RCA) to RF channel 3/4.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@robertshade8631 How can you tell if it won’t work?

[@eagonsiahaan9390]

At 2:55 what is that small tv coax adapter called?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

F-type female to 1/8” or 3.5 mm male plug.

[@eagonsiahaan9390]

@@NorthcoasterHobby thanks

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@eagonsiahaan9390 You’re welcome.

[@raghugoud309]

I giving maduletars

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

That also used for portable or pocket TVs

[@user-su5sq5ib3i]

These are really easy to find at thrift store..

[@shippyshank_loves_carsandsound]

I found a general electric one at a thrift store lol

[@jupiters_reform1848]

They are...

[@brikozub]

Found a couple RCA brand today at a thrift store, for $3 each.

[@Drewdadork56]

Every time I got to good will I see them

[@Drewdadork56]

I think it’s because when people had old tvs back in the 80 90s most people had these

[@OIdiesCentral]

when the s-video doesn't state if in or out,what is it,both?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

Most likely it is an input.

[@thebedroomshow9010]

A little confused, why would I connect the rf transmitter directly to the tv if the point of it is to transmit to the tv?

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

It is a wired connection, not wireless. It’s a modulator, not a transmitter. A modulator converts a line-level signal to an RF signal. The connection is made via coaxial cable between the modulator and the TV.

[@tristan6509]

25 years ago not all TVs had a video input, if there's only an RF port then you'd need a modulator to convert AV onto a TV signal You can use these as a transmitter, but you'd need a booster to amplify the output

[@channelI748]

Got my first TV with no analogue tunner.

[@ManuelPinner]

Connect a TV Antenna to the Modulator,

[@Ron2600_]

He doesn't need to because he used the signal combiner.

[@rtvlas8893]

Cause I want to built a TV channel what I should be need

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

A modulator like this would be useful for that.

[@Kush-fw4fr]

ive been thinking about getting one or two of these and getting raspberry pis to play movies of my plex server and make a dummy movie channels as well hook up my CCTV to it.

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

Great ideas! I’ll keep them in mind, thanks for watching!

[@tomyyoung2624]

Yes all modulators work on channel 3 or 4 - try a UHF modulator

[@NorthcoasterHobby]

@@tomyyoung2624 Make your own personal analog TV channels at home | UHF TV Channel Modulator | Video sender kzbin.info/www/bejne/epfMYp57mLKnac0

[@rs12official]

“Magnasonic”…interesting brand LOL💀